Tea 101

BWhole leaf grades
The grades for whole leaf orthodox black tea are: Ceylon orange pekoe (OP) grades
OP—Orange Pekoe: main grade, consisting of long wiry leaf without tips
OP1—more delicate than OP; long, wiry leaf with the light liquor
OPA—bolder than OP; long leaf tea which ranges from tightly wound to almost open
OPS—Orange Pekoe Superior: primarily from Indonesia, similar to OP
FOP—Flowery Orange Pekoe: high-quality tea with a long leaf and few tips, considered the second grade in Assam, Dooars, and Bangladesh teas, but the first grade in China
FOP1: limited to only the highest quality leaves in the FOP classification
GFOP—Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe: higher proportion of tip than FOP. Top grade in Milima and Marinyn regions, uncommon in Assam and Darjeeling
TGFOP—Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe: the highest proportion of tip, main grade in Darjeeling and Assam
TGFOP1—limited to only the highest quality leaves in the TGFOP classification
FTGFOP—Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe: highest quality grade
FTGFOP1 or STGFOP or SFTGFOP—limited to only the highest quality leaves in the FTGFOP classification
Broken leaf grades
BT—Broken Tea: Usually a black, … [Read more...] about What do all those abbreviations mean in a tea name.

If you have been immersed in tea culture for very long, or merely enjoy a cup a day, then you are probably familiar with Earl Grey tea, or the very least have heard of it. But did you know that Earl Grey is packed full of health benefits?
It makes you happy
The main ingredient in Earl Grey tea that lends its distinctive flavor is called Bergamot, which is an oil derived from the rind of a dwarf variety of the Seville orange. This citrus oil has been known to reduce stress, anxiety, as well as alleviate depression and mood swings. So sip on a cup of Earl Grey tea the next time you are stressed out and feel your body relax and your mind be eased by its calming effects.
Good for the ticker
The Bergamot in Earl Grey tea has also been seen to significantly lower cholesterol. An enzyme called HMGF (hydroxy methyl glutaryl flavonones) searches through the body to find the proteins that cause heart disease, destroying them in the process.
Beneficial for those pearly whites
The catechin antioxidants in Earl Grey tea are high in concentration, which is great for fighting oral bacteria, preventing infections. Additionally, there is naturally occurring fluoride in Earl Grey, which aids in the protection of tooth decay and … [Read more...] about Why You Should Drink Earl Grey Tea

Tea should not be too complicated, right? Boil water, steep the leaves, and enjoy. Details do matter though, when it comes to this versatile and delicious beverage. Daily we hear new scientific information regarding the benefits of tea, from fighting cancer to preventing heart disease. Did you know the way you make your tea could hinder the healing properties and benefits of tea? We have some handy tips to keep in mind for your next teatime.
1) Choose the right tea or herb
There is usually a tea that fits nearly every ailment; it is just the matter of finding the one that is best suited for the job.
Have a cough?
It does not matter what time of year it is, someone will inevitable have a cough, either due to a seasonal cold or allergies. Why not combat it naturally instead of pumping your system with over-the-counter medications? Rooibos (ROY-boss) tea, which is an herb grown in South Africa and used for a myriad of illnesses. It is particularly helpful in treating coughs and throat irritations. Free of caffeine, along with its sweet, fruity flavor, it beats out cough syrup any day!
Natural Skincare
Because of their antioxidant properties as well as the disease-fighting catechin known as … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Better Tea